Camp of the 14^th N.J. Vols. Infty.

Near Washington D.C. June 3^rd 1865.

 

Dear Parents,

                        I feel to thank God that I am still spared to pen you a few lines after our severe and trying march from Richmond, which place we passed through in Review on the 24^th of last month and continued the march for our national Capital three days, when we were caught in a severe storm & the consequence was, we were stuck in the mud & had to lay by for two days, during which time the storm abated & the roads dried up somewhat & we moved on making Fredericksburg where we encamped for one night & crossed the river the next morning. then it seemed for the first that we were gaining ground. We came in camp here yesterday / just in the heat of the day and now our marching days are over, & if there was one among us who felt sorry we would tie him to a stump & whip him, but happily there are none but what are glad the days work's done, and we will soon pass onward to new scenes. I am unable to form the least idea as to how long we shall remain here, but I dont think it will be many days before our old Corps will be broken up & we shall go home rejoicing. next Monday we are to pass in Review through Washington & then return to camp it will occupy nearly a day, but we can afford it as it will be the last time I trust.

 

            I was made glad last night by receiving a letter from you and exceeding glad that John was doing well. he had better not be in any / hurry to go to work. I shall have to get me a new suit of clothes I suppose & I will have enough left keep us for a couple of months if I get a little State pay which is due me, which is only $35.00 as they stopped the State pay of single men last May year ago. I owe considerable for grub, for Uncle Sam could not give us enough sometimes and I am not one to hate good victuals for the sake of a few dollars. But the most of us Soldiers like to eat as well as anybody & we are bound to have it if money will buy it, so we borrow & lend. I have two old pennies I have carried along on the march & I take them out & look at them once in awhile & wish for more that I might buy a pie or some bread or something besides tack. But we have not long to know our tack now. I believe we are to draw / soft bread this afternoon, then we will feast on bread & pork & coffee. We will not be paid until we arrive in our state. I shall go by the way of New York from Trenton if I can, then settle with Aunt Clemmy for those boots the first thing get my suit of cit's give Aunt a polite invitation to accompany me to R.B. and off we will start to surprise you, so look out for the Returned Soger Boy. I have shaved off my whiskers & you may not know me, they make such a change. But they may have time to grow out again before I arrive as I have marked them out again. It is a very hot day & I am truly thankful that our destination was reached yesterday. do not think because I am free that I shall do as I please, that I did not mean when I wrote it. I know Mother I have always been free, but you know there are so many who long for that day to come and they are no better off afterward.

 

            Tell Mr Buchanan I saw John just before we left Richmond he was then well & wished to be remembered home when I wrote. Do not fear of there being any duel, ha, ha. What an idea, to think I would dirty my hands. I am not concerned, everything is settled. I am a / stranger to your near neighbors. It is only on your account that I would ever come home. But I see you have no taste as to my returning remaining in Service, so you shall have your way this time, as I had mine before. But holding the position of Captain I could command more wages than I could as any thing I can find to employ my time elsewhere. still I have no particular liking to the Service, so I shall follow your precepts and come home to enjoy a few days or weeks in peace & harmony with all men. Johnty Ingling stated in a letter I received from him that he was preparing to keep me a week and I received a polite invitation from Freehold, New Brunswick, N.Y. & one from Caton Town. Miss Edna Wolcott invited me to give them a call & said they were / very much disappointed at my not giving them a call when home last winter. she wrote me a splendid letter. I believe she is the one Mercy Reavy praised up so. I shall call upon them most assuredly & take dinner. How like old times it will seem. they used to think so much of me. I must try & establish myself again in their good graces, for I may get an acre. But I cannot longer waste my time joking. I hope to hear from you again soon & please send me a couple of stamps & give my best respects to friends & relatives

                                   

& I remain fondly your loving Son Albert

                                               

May God bless & Protect you.

 

A C Harrison

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